Your Mail 5-6-14: 'Deeply proud' of all nurses ... Return to 'normal' school ... Unite to end racism

'Deeply proud' of all nurses

This week (May 6-12), the Alexandria VA Health Care System honors the dedicated men and women whom we in the Department of Veterans Affairs consider to be "the compassionate backbone" of the veterans' health-care system -nurses.

The theme of National Nurses Week 2014 is "Nurses Leading the Way," and no one puts more passion into the health-care profession than VA nurses.

The VA is the nation's largest single employer of nurses, and VA nurses lead their profession in education and training, clinical responsibility and research. But, their passion comes from the VA's mission -caring for veterans.

VA nurses are integral and equal members of our health-care team of professionals. No health-care professional is closer to the veterans we care for than a VA nurse.

Veterans and families rely on them for their compassion, and the VA relies on them for setting the highest clinical care standards. That reliance is well placed. The VA's recognition as a leader in health care, patient safety and research is due, in large part, to nurses.

I am deeply proud to be associated with the nurses who serve our veterans at the Alexandria VA Health Care System and with all of our nation's 3.1 million registered nurses who work tirelessly to keep us well and save lives around the clock every day.

Return to 'normal' school

Did you see it in The Town Talk? "Educators argue to keep Common Core." Yes, educators. What about the parents? Don't the parents have anything to say? It's our children the educators are trying to teach.

Amy Deslattes, instructional strategist at Lafayette High School, said the governor has a "political agenda." Although the governor jumped on the bandwagon when Common Core first appeared, he has evidently done research and listened to parent protests, which shows courage and wisdom in admitting a wrong choice.

Kevin George, superintendent of St. John the Baptist School District, said that if Common Core is eliminated while there is nothing to replace it, education in Louisiana will be "just a ship without a rudder." How ridiculous is that? All that is needed is to go back to the former system.

Common Core advocates are trying to use money as an excuse to stay with CC, telling us how much it would cost to eliminate Common Core. They never say how much it cost to develop CC. Maybe the educators will have to return the "bribe" money?

Common Core's grading system is unfair to students. In addition, parents are being separated from their children by not being able to assist the student in his/her homework. If a parent goes to the school to see the test given, it is restricted. One school has a tutor coming in to teach math to those who have trouble learning and the classroom is full. This takes place before the actual math class.

Some parents have removed their children from school and placed them in private schools. And the complicated math has one adding to subtract. Math is being taught fast and if the student does not "get it," it's off to a learning center. Lots of sad stories.

Let's hope that the governor and Legislature get rid of this albatross and that we get back to a normal school system.

Unite to end racism

? It would be good to feel that we are a nation that has moved past our biases; however, we still have a long way to go.

? Just when we start coming together to appreciate the positive changes in attitudes toward racial discrimination and our enlightened views of it, bigots like Sterling and Bundy climb out, causing a huge step backwards.

? Racial remarks made by someone are not a one-time mistake. They are venting a lifetime of their stored ignorance.

? Racism and those who enable it are not exclusive of just one political party, ideology or race.

? In the 21st century, it is time for all of us to take a stand for what is right. Stand together as one to stamp out racism and discrimination.

Leonard Ford Jr.

Alexandria

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Your Mail 5-6-14: 'Deeply proud' of all nurses ... Return to 'normal' school ... Unite to end racism

Did you see it in The Town Talk? 'Educators argue to keep Common Core.' Yes, educators. What about the parents? Don't the parents have anything to say? It's our children the educators are trying to